Name: Siva Subramanian

Title: Head of IT India

Organisation: Mossdams

My career of 22+ years as a global IT leader resembles a Venn diagram comprising three key elements - service industry, product development, and captive services specific to the Indian market.

During the first decade of my career, I immersed myself in product development, particularly in the healthcare domain, while working with Siemens Healthcare India and Siemens Healthcare US. It was an exhilarating experience as my team, and I built high-quality products that adhered to rigorous standards like HL7 and FDA (food and drug adulteration laws). This uncompromising emphasis on product quality allowed me to deepen my knowledge and understanding of emerging technologies.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Siva's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

The modern workplace scenario presents IT teams with a dynamic landscape and a multitude of challenges. These include managing transitions between full-time, remote, and hybrid work models, determining on the optimal balance of physical and digital assets, and addressing the increasing risks of security breaches and data vulnerability.

In my role as the Global IT Leader - Office of CIO at Moss Adams India, I understand the significance of proactive preparedness in averting inefficiencies and last-minute failures, ensuring system currency and security while transforming obstacles into opportunities for organisational growth and resilience.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

The opportunity provided me with a unique opportunity to develop capabilities for both Indian as well as international markets. I had the privilege of witnessing first-hand how India was evolving into a hub of success for conglomerates in the entertainment sector. Additionally, I also spent a brief period of my career at various consulting and service companies, exchanging ideas and practices related to data security.

Throughout this journey, managing and leading diverse teams across the globe has been an indispensable part of my professional growth journey. Each step along the way has been a learning curve, shaping my growth as a global IT leader.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

The days of Unix, Fox Pros, and Fox Spaces, where we used to store critical data on servers. Today, we have embraced centralised systems that enhance data security and reliability to newer working models. This evolution highlights the dynamic nature of our field, emphasising the paramount importance of adaptability in the face of digital transformation and technological advancements. As an IT professional, we are tasked with establishing effective communication and collaboration channels, ensuring seamless integration between remote and in-office teams.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

In recent years, we have witnessed a significant shift in the way we work, with remote and hybrid work models becoming increasingly common. Organisations are no longer bound by traditional office setups and are embracing flexible work arrangements that allow employees to work from various locations. While it may seem interesting to many, it brings about its own set of challenges, especially for the IT teams.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

I always read an autobiography book of Dr. APJ Kalam of Wings of Fire. Key lesson learned from the book how person from small village in Rameswaram to a President of India.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

As IT professionals, it was nothing short of a challenge for us to test our adaptability.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

Looking back, it’s been a fulfilling journey made of numerous learnings and delivering on time despite immense pressure, all with one goal - protecting the trust my stakeholders placed in me.